Religion

I was invited to speak at the Hunger and Homeless Banquet sponsored by the Brunswick County Homeless Coalition, a group united in an effort to address, and hopefully resolve, the problem of hunger and homelessness in Brunswick County. My reaction was immediate and identified my surprise.
“What do I know about homelessness?” The challenge I accepted was to talk about my ignorance and the accompanying call of Scripture that confronted me. So, I began to pray, ponder and write. This is an excerpt from what God gave me.

Christmas open house set for Dec. 8
Trinity United Methodist Church will host its annual Christmas open house for the community from 2:30-
6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8. The church will open its historic sanctuary, decorated for Christmas, so all may enjoy its beauty. Refreshments will be served and a variety of musicians will provide entertainment during the afternoon. The adult handbell ringers will play traditional Christmas music at 2:30 p.m. Restrooms will be available for those on the Southport homes tour.

Denominations that use the Common Lectionary as a source for their Sunday readings find the choices for the first Sunday of Advent present us with messages from Chapter 33 of the Hebrew prophet Jeremiah 33:14-16; Chapter 3 of the letter to the community at Thessalonica and portions from Chapter 21 of the Gospel according to Luke. The proclamations offer a complexity that entwines good news with the dire consequences that come when we do not follow God’s will and way.
I hear a dual call, “Be aware and beware!” I am pulled in two directions.

The Matthew 25 Center Ministry Partners were recognized at the regular quarterly board of directors meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 13, at Dale’s Seafood in Tabor City.
Recognized as Ministry Partners were Fair Bluff Baptist Church, Olympic Baptist Church, Tabor City Baptist Church and Shallotte Presbyterian Church. These churches have agreed to meet the monthly/annual financial portion of being a Ministry Partner and are praying for the Center. Each was presented a Ministry Partner certificate recognizing and thanking them for their support.

If there is one thing that distinguishes Hubby Dear and marks his life, it is his ability to ask questions, many questions. He loves to ask questions because they lead him to an ever-deepening understanding of himself and others. They are his entry into interesting dialogue and his way of honoring the wonder of each individual.
We love to tell our stories, to have them heard and affirmed. In the narration something magical happens, both to taleteller and listener. The stories extend beyond conversation and become vehicles for transformation.

When late November looms and the air grows chill, even in the sunny South, I become more meditative. I am drawn to thankfulness.
Hubby Dear quickly reminded me that Meister Eckhart, a German theologian trained in Paris, wrote: “If the only prayer you said in your whole life was ‘thank you,’ that would suffice.” So this year I thought I’d invite folks to join me in contemplation of gratitude.

Program encourages Bible-reading
The Bible is the best-selling book in history, but how many people in our area are actually reading it? A Gallup survey reports the average American household has four Bibles; however, research found that only 16 percent of Americans read the Bible every day.

I have often read and as frequently led discussions on the scriptural account that portrays a doubting Thomas whose request to touch Jesus’ wounds is honored by the God-man who loves him. Always, there would be much talk about the reality that doubt exists whether we admit it or not. There would be acknowledgment that none of the apostles was devoid of doubt, but that Thomas was open and honest about his predicament. Then we’d continue to probe the Scriptures for other bits of transformative grace until the session ended.